Health Coaching and Behavior Change Research
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Background
The lab has led an ongoing and evolving study called the Health Coach Study that spawned thesis research for 7 different students and new partnerships on campus and in the community. The majority of the work was done with the Sensewear monitor and the associated ProConnect Platform. Foundational work found no different significant differences in weight loss or metabolic outcomes between facilitated health coaching and more structured and intensive weight loss counseling. The results were published in Preventive Medicine Reports. |
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Follow up studies evaluated virtual and online health coaching. Participants were provided with a Sensewear monitor to use for 8 weeks and were guided on how to use the monitor to help with physical activity, diet, or weight control efforts. Participants were able to choose whether they wanted to receive in-person coaching or online coaching. Results revealed significant improvements in both conditions and no major differences between groups. This study is published in Health Promotion Practice.
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Current 'Health Coach' Model
We have adapted the program and now employ a variety of consumer based activity monitors including the FitBit. The programming and training methods have also been refined over the years. We have established a supervised practicum course on principles of motivational interviewing (MI) that provides students with content knowledge and practical experience in using motivational interviewing as part of facilitated health coaching applications. Research on the health coaching is coordinated through a separate outreach group called Wellness Works outreach program (Click here for details). Programming is led by 3 Ph.D. students from the lab (Katy Southard, Jeni Lansing and Maria Perez) |
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History of the Health Coach Study
Click on the associated tab (History of the "Health Coach" Study) to learn more about the various projects we have conducted and summaries of insights from this work.